December 15, 2005

Calendar of local events

Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the 408 area code.

MUSIC
December 18 – Sunday
The Cantabile Youth Singers will present “Holidays with Cantabile” performing at 4 p.m. at Mission Santa Clara, famous for its excellent acoustics. Featuring all choirs; Preparatory, Intermediate, Concert and Chamber, this program will deliver music from northern hemisphere composers, including Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” John Rutter’s “Dancing Day,” Srul Irving Glick’s “Psalm 47,” Eleanor Daley’s “What Sweeter Music,” Donald Patriquin’s “Ach Synku,” and Claude Debussy’s “Noel des Enfants.”  Also featured will be a set of traditional Inuit chants arranged by Stephen Hatfield, and traditional favorites such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night.” For tickets and further information, call 650-424-1410, email info@cantabile.org or visit www.cantabile.org.

DANCE
December 15 – 24
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “The Nutcracker”at the Center for the Performing Arts: A gift for everyone during the Holidays, Ballet SJSV’s “Nutcracker” has become a yearly festive tradition for thousands of children and families throughout the Bay Area. For tickets and more information, call 288-2800 or www.balletsanjose.org

December 16 – 18
Nuestra Navidad – A Family Christmas at the Montgomery Theater: México’s Christmas fandangos are lively manifestations of el pueblo which sings, dances and preserves in its songs and dances the throbbing backbones of its visions of the world, its history and provincial traditions. Nuestra Navidad offer roots of the past and tree of the present where music, songs and dance come together in a flavor of ancestral rituals. Admission is $6 - $12. For tickets and performance information call 984-0342 or visit www.aztlanacademy.org.

ART
November 17 – January 7, 2006
The Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Avenue, announces the opening exhibits of local artists James Warren Perry, featuring his series of California landscape paintings, and Richard Shaw, showcasing his trompe l’oueil porcelain sculpture. A public reception with both artists will be held on Sunday, November 20, from 2 – 5 p.m. Musuem hours are Wed – Sun, from noon – 4 p.m. admission is free. For more information, call 395-7375.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
September 30 – January 6, 2006
“Game On: The History and Culture of Videogames.” Explore the history, culture and future of video games at this temporary exhibit. “Game On” is a highly interactive exhibit that examines the exploding video game industry from the game design process and beyond. Come experience the past forty years of electronic gaming, and reflect on where the industry will go next. “Game On” was organized by the Barbican Art Gallery London in collaboration with the National Museums of Scotland. “Game On” will be at The Tech through January 6, 2006.

November 25 – December 23
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy presents the 2005 Holiday Lights. This much-anticipated event returns for an expanded second season and offers guests 14 nights of ice skating, thousands of twinkling lights, a decadent holiday feast, holiday shopping, Santa’s Workshop, themed rides and more! This event runs weekends from November 25 through December 18, and daily from December 19 – 23. For more information visit www.bonfantegardens.org.

November 25 – January 1, 2006
The 26th annual Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez is a San Jose seasonal tradition. Each year, the 2-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 60 displays and hundreds of trees decorated by schools, businesses, scout troupes and nonprofits. Christmas in the Park is open until Jan. 1, 2006 from 9 a.m. to midnight. For more information on this free event, call 995-6635 or log on to www.christmasinthepark.com.

December 17 – Saturday
Princeton Plaza Holiday Fair: Enjoy this Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles Fair at Princeton Plaza, 1375 Blossom Hill Road. Unique gift ideas are perfect for holiday shopping. Live Entertainment.

December 17 – 18
San Jose Youth Ballet to present “The Nutcracker”: The gifted youngsters and parents from Dance Theatre International, along with students from Morgan Hill Dance, Capitol Dance and International Ballet, along with notable guest stars in some of the lead roles, will come together to bring the magic of “The Nutcracker” to life. Gorgeous costumes and amazing sets are being prepared for San Jose Youth Ballet’s third season of this holiday production. The performances will be held at the Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Avenue. Tickets for both the performance and the after-show Sugar Plum Refreshment and Photo-Op Party may be purchased by calling 270 SJYB (7592), or by visiting the Web site at www.dtidance.com.

December 25 – Sunday
Congregation Sinai a Conservative Jewish synagogue at 1532 Willowbrae in San Jose, is hosting a Chanukah Dinner Party and Toy Drive for the entire Jewish community at 5 p.m. on the first night of Chanukah. The party will feature the traditional holiday candle lighting, dinner, and dancing. There will also be games, popcorn, and movies for the children. Because an important part of Chanukah is the giving of tzedakah (charity), the party will include a toy drive for EMQ Children & Family Services. Each partygoer should bring a toy for a child ages 4-18, and the gifts will be used to restock EMQ’s toy closet. For more information, visit http://www.sinai-sj.org/.

FIFTY PLUS
AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

MISCELLANEOUS
December 19 - Monday
See the stars at EVC: EVC Montgomery Hill Observatory Re-opens to the public! Evergreen Valley College announces the fall public schedule for its Montgomery Hill Observatory. Featuring Two Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron Telescopes — a 14” and an 8” — and one 13” Dobsonian. The Public Viewing Nights include viewings of Mars, the Moon, Globular Clusters, and Deep Sky Nebulae. Attendance is free but limited.  For reservations, call 270-6490, Mon – Fri. between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Parking is available at the student lot next to the Observatory gate. Viewing hours are 7:30 - 9 p.m.

December 16 –18
25th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the San José McEnery Convention Center: Powersports enthusiasts can see the latest and greatest innovations, products and services, aftermarket products, as well as the hottest new motorcycles, ATVs, scooters and more. Admission is $12/Adult, $5 for Children 6-11 years. For more information and event hours visit http://noc.motorcycleshows.com.

Ongoing
Saratoga Historic Museum: New history exhibits for young and old visitors. Unique holiday gift options. Museum hours are 1-4 PM, Fridays-Sundays. 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga. Free admission. For more information, visit www.saratogahistory.com.


HAVE AN ITEM FOR OUR CALENDAR?
We are seeking calendar items pertaining to the south bay communities we cover in our seven monthly community newspapers: Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Campbell, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Willow Glen, Fifty Plus, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by email or fax several weeks before the event. Send an email to candy@timesmediainc.com or fax to Candy Richter at 494-7078. Photos should be sent digitally as jpegs or mailed to Calendar, Times Newspapers, 1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107, San Jose, CA 95122. Due to the large volume of items received calendar requests left on voice mail cannot be used. Space is limited.